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Frequently Asked Questions About ANCC’s Magnet Recognition Program®

1. What is the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Magnet Recognition Program®?ANCC developed the Magnet Recognition Program® to recognize hospitals and healthcare organizations that provide nursing excellence.

ANCC Magnet Recognition® is the highest and most prestigious international distinction a healthcare organization or hospital can receive for nursing excellence and outstanding patient care. It is considered the "gold standard."

The program helps hospitals:

Promote quality in a setting that supports nurses

Find the best ways to deliver nursing care to patients

Develop and deliver successful nursing practices

2. What are the benefits of ANCC Magnet Recognition®?There are many benefits associated with Magnet® recognition. A growing amount of research shows it has a positive impact on:

Nursing quality care

Patient results

Patient safety

The work environment

Nurse satisfaction

Nurse recruitment

Nurse retention

Magnet hospitals are international models for nursing care. Other hospitals look to Magnet organizations for ways to improve patient results, reduce hospital stays, and attract and keep the most qualified nursing staff.

Experienced nurses prefer to work in Magnet hospitals and are more satisfied with their jobs there. Magnet hospitals attract patients, too. They know they will receive the highest quality of care at Magnet facilities.

3. How long is the designation period?Magnet hospitals are designated for four years.

4. Describe the Magnet Model. What does it include?ANCC's new Magnet Model, introduced in 2008, serves as a "road map" to help hospitals and healthcare organizations achieve Magnet recognition.

It requires hospitals to demonstrate nursing excellence in patient, nurse, and organizational results.

The Model's overarching theme is "Global Issues in Nursing and Health Care." While not a specific Model component, this category includes the various factors and challenges facing nursing and health care around the world today.

The Model focuses on five areas:

Transformational Leadership: strong nurse leaders have the vision, knowledge, and influence to guide their team to where it needs to go, not just where it wants to go.

Structural Empowerment: strong nurse leaders create an environment where the hospital's mission and vision come to life, and all nurses are encouraged to achieve desired results.

Exemplary Professional Practice: nurses practice, work together, communicate, and develop professionally to achieve the highest quality of care for patients and the community.

New Knowledge, Innovations & Improvements: nurses take the lead in research efforts, and have an ethical and professional responsibility to contribute new findings, evidence, and quality improvement to the nursing profession.

Empirical Outcomes: strong nursing structures and processes are in place to achieve good outcomes, but nurses go further to show results and the impact of those results. Empirical outcomes move beyond what nurses do and how they do it to focus on: "What difference have you made?"

5. How many Magnet hospitals are there? Are any of them outside the United States?ANCC continues to expand the Magnet Recognition Program around the globe. The number of Magnet hospitals changes regularly. Please visit www.nursecredentialing.org/FindaMagnetFacility.aspx to see the current number and list of Magnet-recognized hospitals.

6. Which countries have hospitals on the Journey to Magnet Excellence?The list is extensive, but remains confidential at this time.

7. Who can apply for Magnet recognition and when?Any healthcare organization can take the Journey to Magnet Excellence™ and achieve Magnet recognition, regardless of its size, setting, or location.

You may submit your application any day of the year. Written documentation is accepted five times a year: February 1, April 1, June 1, August 1, and October 1.

7. Are there different eligibility requirements for hospitals outside of the United States?The Magnet Model Components are relevant to health care organizations around the world. There is only one Application Manual for the program. All organizations must use the same application.

8. What is involved in the application process?The application process for ANCC Magnet Recognition — also called the Journey to Magnet Excellence — takes time and hard work, but it provides valuable feedback and improvement opportunities.

It focuses on creating and maintaining excellence, and involves the dedication and commitment of the entire organization — everyone from the executive leadership to nurses and other staff. It is not a single project, but an ongoing process that promotes a culture of nursing excellence.

Hospitals that apply for ANCC Magnet Recognition have the opportunity to:

Build a stronger nursing team

Identify strengths and areas for improvement

Develop plans to improve performance

Establish permanent systems and processes to achieve goals

9. Can I apply in my local language?At this time, applications are accepted in English only.

10. How long does the application process take?Each hospital's experience is different. The Magnet journey varies depending on many factors, including how long it takes your organization to collect and organize the required documentation, and site visits from Magnet appraisers.

11. The application process seems lengthy and expensive. Why should we do it?The Journey to Magnet Excellence does take time and effort, but it offers value along the way. As noted above, the application process provides valuable feedback and improvement opportunities to help your organization create and maintain a culture of excellence. In this way, the journey is as important as the final destination.

12. What resources are available to us while on the Journey to Magnet Excellence?ANCC offers a number of resources to help you on your Magnet journey. These include:

Workshops

Study Tours

Publications, including the newly revised Magnet Manual

Consultants

You can learn more about the resources offered by ANCC's Institute for Credentialing Innovation® at: www.nursecredentialing.org/TheInstitute.aspx.

In addition, the Magnet Recognition Program offers many helpful tools on its web site at:

13. What resources are available to us after we achieve Magnet recognition?ANCC offers a marketing tool kit that you can use to promote Magnet within your organization, as well as in your community. The toolkit includes:

15. Where can we find more information?Visit ANCC's web site: www.nursecredentialing.org/Magnetto learn more about the Magnet Recognition Program. If you would like to contact a program representative, please send an e-mail message to global@ana.org.